 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
Planning a ski trip in Jan/Feb 2016 for a group of around 8 intermediates. We have previously been to Ramsau am dachstein, Livigno, Mayrhofen and Saalbach. We are looking at something new this year and Madonna Di Campiglio was mentioned to me. I don't know too much about the resort and was hoping that maybe I could get some advice here on snowheads.
My main questions would be about the skiing areas. What are the runs like and are they easy to travel between or do they require a commute on foot/bus?
Also in terms of accommodation would anybody have any recommendations? We would be looking at hotels or B&B's that are somewhere midrange 2/3 star but would also consider apartments. Location and proximity to the lifts would be important.
In terms of transfer we would fly into Milan Bergamo and either hire a private coach or look at car hire and drive up.
Any suggestions would be much appriciated,
Thanks in advance,
Spider
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hi, I have skied Madonna di Campiglio lots of times & the skiing is varied & very good quality, but I have never actually stayed there as it has a reputation as a expensive place to stay.Like yourself, I have done the independent thing. I have stayed in Passo Tonale & driven to Daolasa (about 30 mins) or used the free bus to Marileva 900 (about 40 mins) which was ok for us but I admit some people won't like to do that. Having a car will enable you to go to Pejo for a morning/day.
We skied there last season Jan 2015 & actually stayed in Pinzolo, this resort is connected with a 15 min Gondalas to Madonna di Campiglio, but it was a quiet town with no other English people! The other resorts of Folgaria & Marileva are easily skiable from Madonna.
I ski on a budget & like good value, but still like quality skiing & this area is good value.
Now for a couple of tips!
Google Madonna di Campaglio freeski the resort has approximately 14 weeks with a free ski pass out of a eighteen week season. To get this you need to book direct with a hotel in their Tourist Board. We have done this every time we have stayed & had a Superskirama pass to enable skiing in any resort on any day. Last year we paid €640 & in 2014 it was €545 both including full pass.
If you are flying, we used Monarch Manchester to Venice, they fly on a Friday night & return on a Sunday, enabling my brother to have 9 days skiing, of course we had to book extra days accommodation, but it worked out really well, I stayed in Italy for a Snowheads bash.
If I can help you, feel free to PM me.
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Hi Spider
We are the author of the link given above and work exclusively with Madonna di Campiglio
You can find all the information you want on our website www.enchantedholidays.co.uk
Feel free to call me an time and I'd be happy to give you a full rundown, but on our website you will find an expandable piste map, and details about ski passes and just about everything else.
FYI, the best airport to fly into is Verona.
Bergamo is ok. but driving to Madonna di Campiglio is mainly across country, along the west shore of Lake Idro.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi, Bergamo & Verona airports are much the same in regards transfer. I've found getting a suitable flight time to be the most important factor. On one occasion I flew to Geneva & then got the train to Milan, then a hire car up to Folgarida. This was actually easier & a lot cheaper than travelling down to LHR or LGW for me.
flyskishuttle.com has transfers for all the resorts & is a reasonable €35 return when I used them in 2014, they operate from Bergamo, Verona, Venice & Treviso.
If there are going to be a group of eight a hired minibus would be a good option.
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Thanks for the replies to date and thanks for the tips.
We will probably look to stay in the town of Madonna Di Campiglio so any accommodation recommendations would be much appreciated. I assume that it will be a little busier in the evenings and have more choice of restaurants there?
Is there much of a disadvantage traveling from Bergamo as opposed Verona? Are any of the routes more prone to closing during any heavy weather?
Thanks,
Spider
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Sorry,I can't recommend any hotels in Madonna, just check the location of the hotel, Madonna is large for a ski town & it would be easy to end up staying quite far from a lift. The town is in a bowl & the lifts go in all directions. Verona is a easier transfer, but Bergamo isn't much further.
Most of the big ski companies go to Madonna if you want a easy 6 day ski week. But it's very easy to do it yourself & get a better/cheaper trip.
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From Bergamo to Madonna di Campiglio will take you about 1/2 hour longer than from Verona. The roads will be fine, but from Bergamo you can expect a lot of heavy traffic, all the way to Tione di Trento.
If you are considering renting a minibus, the maximum size for private use is 8 passengers(incl. driver). Anything over this number and you will need to look at serviced transfers.
Also, if you are flying into Bergamo, I recommend you book the mini bus a.s.a.p. - there will not be many of them available.
Keep in mind that you will be expected to deposit a minimum of 1500.00 Euros, with a credit card, upon collection.
Madonna di Campiglio is Folgarida's big brother, and does have a lot more hotels and restaurants, along with a couple of night clubs.
If you're looking for accommodation, feel free to check out our website www.enchantedholidays.co.uk
Most of the accommodation is close to the lifts, but prices vary quite substantially from 3 star to 5 star.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Great info Campoiglio.
Can you confirm / refute that off-piste skiing is tightly controlled / forbidden, esp amongst the trees?
Thanks in advance.
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Off piste skiing in Madonna di Campiglio is limited.
You are not allowed to free-ride through the trees, as the treeline is criss crossed with pistes, and this is deemed to constitute a danger to those on the piste.
However, after fresh snowfall, two of our black runs are left un-pisted for 24 hours.
It is also possible to ski off piste with a local guide/instructor, but this is dependent upon conditions on the day.
We work with two ski schools, one of which specialises in off piste guiding, and even heli skiing on the glacier of Passo Tonale.
Feel free to ski in the powder on the black runs, but I do not recommend skiing through the trees. If caught you could face a hefty fine.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Many thanks. Much appreciated.
Shame.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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If I can help in any other way, feel free to ask.
Madonna di Campiglio is my back yard.
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@Campiglio, "shame" as Mike suggests.
Much of the off piste in, e.g. The Portes du Soleil is criss crossed with pistes and some might suggest that much of the off piste in Chamonix is spoiled by the odd piste crossing but we all seem to cope around such areas. Hey ho, given Italian driving, maybe it's just as well. 
Nice that the service keeps a few under pisted blacks. Always a good thing.
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You know it makes sense.
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@spider66, Hotels: We stayed at the Garni Montana in MdC. Simple but very comfortable. Happy to recommend that. Also, v happy to recommend @Campiglio, . He organised our visit there and the service and value were both excellent. If you are thinking of going, DO give him a call. He was better value than when we looked at DIY.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@spider66, We stayed at Hotel Cristal Palace 2 years ago and would thoroughly recommend it. As it was at the edge of the town I imagine that is why it is not too expensive. The hotel provided a transfer to the lifts, but the walk was only about 12 minutes. The most incredible views across the valley from the back of the hotel. Would thoroughly recommend. www.cristalpalacecampiglio.it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Interesting !!
We have put guests in there in the past, and they all agree that it's a great hotel, but a few complained of it's distance from the town centre.
It's owned by the same people who have the Spinale Club Hotel.
We actually removed it from our published portfolio which was done with a heavy heart, but with so many guests unhappy about its location, we decided to run with the majority.
If you're looking for an absolute belter, take a look at Hotel Cerana Relax http://www.enchantedholidays.co.uk/madonna-di-campiglio/accommodation/4-star-superior-hotels/hotel-cerana-relax/
30 meters from the Spinale lift station with skiing back directly to the hotel
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi Everyone,
Many thanks for all the information on MDC. Its much appreciated when you are unfamiliar with a resort. @Campiglio I will contact you over the weekend and get the ball rolling!
Spider
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@spider66,
I'm going to be in my office all weekend, but I have an early meeting tomorrow, then Sunday, being a creature of habit, will be stopping for a coffee in Twickenham.
Both days I will be in my office by 10.30am
I'd be delighted to help in any way I can.
Dom
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Northerngeezer,
Hi,
You mentioned in your post about booking a hotel through the MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO tourist board and getting a free ski pass....could you send me the tourist board website link? Which hotel did you stay in?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 3-08-15 21:38; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Following on from my last post, and to avoid confusion, it is only right that ''free'' ski weeks are explained fully.
There never has been such a thing as a free ski pass in Madonna di Campiglio, and we make this clear on our website.
However, the lift company and the tourist office promotes this, despite it not being true.
For certain weeks, there are ski pass promotions, where passes are reduced by up to 35%, and most accommodation providers and tour operators will use these weeks as an opportunity to offer inclusive prices. However, all that is really happening is the discounted passes are being added into the overall cost for the week.
Not wishing to sound holier than thou, we do not do this, preferring to be up front and honest.
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Madonna is beautiful and I'must sure you will enjoy it. The skiing is varied when you get the area pass. I seem to remember so lovely, fairly steep reds in the highest area to the left of Madonna. Folgarida has some lovely tree lined skiing. Years ago it went big on boarding and was one of the first resorts to get rid of drags. The school market picked up on this and many many trips went knowing the teachers wouldn'' t have to spend the week acooping up drag lift fallers. I believe a new black is planned down to Dimaro. Madonna has a totally different feel. It's Italy's Lech or Megeve. A lot of old money and lots of expensive things to buy. I haven't been for fifteen years but would love to go back.
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Give me a call - I'll gladly help in any way I can. I'm not trying to drum up business - I amjust passionate about Madonna di Campiglio.
Dom
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi 1not24get, Sorry for the delay, I just looked at this post and saw your earlier request, do a google search for Madonna di Campiglio free ski weeks on google, you will see skirama.it, from there follow the links.
I've never stayed there, but have skied there a lot. The superskirama pass gives access to a lot of resorts. As Campiglio states, the passes are bundled in with the hotel cost, but I have found them to be very good value. Crystal go to Madonna & PassoTonale & never offer a included pass, their prices are always a lot more.
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Hot off the press for those who know Madonna di Campiglio.
The old run down Hotel Caminetto is, at last, being demolished to make way for a new hotel.
The Caminetto is the glass fronted eye sore seen from the main drag of Viale Dolomiti di Brenta.
It is to be built in two stages - this summer should see the underground car park in place, then next summer it should be finished.
I am going to be keeping an eye on progress - the plans look excellent.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Anyone care to offer some advice on self-driving to M di C or Pinzolo. Mrs Georgevii will be there with a large group next Feb (2016) half term. There's a possibility we could turn this into a 2 week trip where i may or may not stay in the area for the "group" week.
Any info welcomed. Routes, stopovers etc. We have visited the area before staying in Folgarida.
Ta, Mr & Mrs G. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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First things first - whether you drive all the way or just rent in Italy, you are not allowed to use a vehicle for more than 8 passengers if driven privately.
Anything beyond 8 passengers and you must use a professional driver, so if there's a large group you will need to rent an appropriate number of mini buses.
This presents its own problems, in as much that there are generally not too many of these available for rental.
All that said, if you're flying in then try to use Verona as your inbound hub - this is the closest international airport to Madonna di Campiglio.
From here, the route is very simple and you should be able to drive it in 2.5 hours.
Just take the A22 from Verona Airport towards Brennero then take the exit for Roveretto,driving under the A22 west. From here just follow the signs for Madonna di Campiglio.
There is a great little bar just beyond the town of Sarche as you start to climb the mountain roads - Bar Miravalle.
You'll see it on your left at the second sharp bend in the road.
Great place to have a coffee and watch the climbers scaling the sheer rock face opposite, and fabulous views across Lake Tritone
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@Campiglio, Thanks for the prompt reply. Was actually thinking about driving independantly from the UK. The group is a large one......... 40 'ish. They will be travelling by coach from the UK. I have started to look into flights and transfers (Flyskishuttle which you mentioned in a previous post).
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You know it makes sense.
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@GeorgeVII, Not guilty!! I've never used or mentioned FlySkiShuttle.
I don't know much about them other than their services are pretty limited.
Travelling from the UK, a natural place to stopover is Ulm in Germany, then the following day down to Munich, Salzburg, Innsbuck then across the Europa bridge into Italy.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Campiglio, Her indoors doesn't fancy a coach trip that is probably going to take over 24hrs each way. Hence thinking about self-driving down the week before and Mrs G flying back via Verona or Bergamo if I don't stay in the area.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Campiglio, Apologies......... i think i picked that link up from one of the websites. We have a friend with a place in Westendorf and considered that as a possible stopover.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@GeorgeVII, A comfortable coach trip is going to take two full days in each direction.
If you are taking a car, then Westendorf is doable.
A transfer to Bergamo is going to take about 2.5 to 2.75 hours. It's actually not much further than Verona, but the bulk of the journey is on ''strade statale'' and there can sometimes be a lot of cars and trucks slowing things down.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Campiglio, Thanks again. The coach journey is for an annual Club trip (adults and kids) and is organised by them. I have no connection with them. Pretty sure there will be no stopover for them  . Mrs.G will be there helping with the kids. (work rather than play).
We enjoyed the skiing around M di C last time we were there and fancy a bit of a change from France.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@GeorgeVII, Let me know if you need any help = MdC is my backyard
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Mens' World Cup Slalom returns to Madonna di Campiglio on 20th December.
I do have a small batch of tickets for this event, if anybody is interested.
Obviously, our own guests will take priority, but there may be a few left over.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry for the hijack but MDC is a possibility in mid december.
What are the likely conditions at this time?
Are the majority of slopes open, snowmaking etc?
tyia
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@hawkwind, We've been operating in Madonna di Campiglio for 8 years, and experience shows that conditions have always been excellent from the beginning of December.
Perhaps a bit on the cold side, but good snow, and plenty of it.
It's also one of the least expensive periods, with the bonus of discounted ski passes.
We've got over 70 snow making machines in the resort, and these automatically churn out powder below 0 degrees.
All the lifts will be open at the beginning of the month.
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Thanks , i think i might go for this!
We are booked late season with the kids so this is perfect for a week for the two of us.
I have looked at these free ski passes , thats almost too good to be true!
A cursory glance makes a weeks skiing half board around €500 each with flights, does that seem about right?
Ive always wanted to go here , was in Paganella last year but didnt get the chance to go over.
Ferrari have a restaurant at the top ive heard , im a big fan
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I think your allusion to 500.00 Euros each is a bit on the optimistic side. However, there are some good early deals to be had.
Free ski passes don't actually exist - this is a tourist office marketing ploy which is adopted by several tour operators.
There are subsidised passes, which hotels and tour operators, alike, just hide in their prices. You will be paying for your passes one way or the other.
We prefer to be open and up front, although we do include passes in our packages.
The restaurant I believe you mean is Chalet Fiat at the top of Monte Spinale.
Ferrari and Ducati are no strangers to Madonna di Campiglio, and both teams used to sponsor a week in January, but neither of them have restaurants named after them
The resort sponsor is now Audi, who took over the reins a couple of years ago when Marlboro pulled the plug on their sponsorship deal.
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On the subject of Ferrari, we do have a wine bar in the village with this name, but it is nothing to do with the prestige car company.
It is operated by the wine company of the same name.
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FAQ
